In this guide, we'll explain in detail how to get to Koh Lipe quickly and easily. It may take an extra day to get to Koh Lipe, but it is worth the trip. We'll tell you how.
We first visited Koh Lipe by chance when we were in Langkawi, Malaysia. We looked at photos of Koh Lipe and took the next speedboat ride. That was over 10 years ago, and it's still our favorite place in Thailand, if not the world.
Introducing various ways to get to Koh Lipe from anywhere!
Where is Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a small island in the Andaman Sea that is only accessible by boat. It is the southernmost island in Thailand, close to the Malaysian border. The mainland and nearest Thai port is Pak Bara, 60 km away. Koh Lipe is located 40 km from Langkawi, Malaysia.
Koh Lipe Ferry
The final step to Koh Lipe is to take a boat from Pak Bara, Langkawi or another Thai island in the Andaman Sea.
Pak Bara Pier (Thailand) – This is The only place where you can travel to Koh Lipe all year round. All other routes are closed during the rainy season. Click here for Koh Lipe ferry timetables.
Langkawi, Malaysia – During Thailand’s peak season (mid-October to May 31), boats run to Langkawi, Malaysia. Book your ferry tickets online here
Thai Island Ferry – During peak season you can take ferries from Koh Lanta, Phi Phi Island, Phuket and several small islands in the Andaman Sea. If you are planning on island hopping in Thailand, this is a great choice. (November to April) Check routes and schedules here.
Fly to Koh Lipe
Unfortunately, Koh Lipe Airport does not exist and there are no direct flights to Koh Lipe. The nearest airport is Hat Yai, Thailand.
There are domestic flights to Hat Yai from all over Thailand. This is the best option for most travelers.
International travelers will likely need to transfer at other regional hubs such as Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. To be more cost-effective, it may be a good idea to book your airline tickets separately. Big cities in Southeast Asia have separate airports for domestic low-cost carriers, so check the airport codes carefully.
It is also possible to fly to Langkawi and take a ferry there, but this is not easy and is only recommended if the savings in air costs are justified. Getting from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe is very simple, but from Langkawi it is a bit more complicated.
3 Easy Ways to Travel to Koh Lipe
1. From Bangkok to Koh Lipe
The fastest way is to fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai. Domestic flights to Thailand are much cheaper and much faster than taking buses or trains. If you're traveling to Thailand on a budget, you can take the 15-hour train to Hat Yai or the 17-hour bus ride to Hat Yai Airport.
Here are the best ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe: Take a flight to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY). It's a quick flight of 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are several flights a day operated by various airlines. One-way flights are expected to cost between $40-$75.
When searching for flights to Hat Yai, search for both Bangkok DMK and BKK airports. Some of the low-cost Thai airlines such as Air Asia and Nok Air fly from this airport. We mainly used Air Asia.
Tip: Double check if you are flying from BKK or DMK airport in Bangkok. You don't want to go to the wrong airport and miss your flight.
When you arrive in Hat Yai, take a shuttle bus or taxi for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours to Pak Bara Pier. there is Shuttle bus to Pak Bara Pier Right from the airport. You can book your tickets in advance online here, which includes both the shuttle to Pak Bara Pier and the ferry to Koh Lipe.
When you arrive at Pakbara Pier Speedboat to Koh Lipe. The boat ride takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. It is recommended that you keep your passport and electronic devices in a dry bag at your seat. The boat ride to Koh Lipe can be rough and you may encounter sea spray.
During peak season, boats depart from Pak Bara several times a day from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. When booking your flight, make sure you have enough time to catch the last ferry.
If you book this ferry through Bundhaya Speed Boat or Jolly Travel, the speedboat will take you to Tarutao on Koh Tarutao and Koh Khai, unlike direct ferries. Stop at Tarutao National Park. Koh Khai is pictured above with its picture-perfect stone arches. This boat adds an extra hour or so to your trip.
2. Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Langkawi is Malaysia's northernmost island, just 30 miles from Koh Lipe. The ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe takes approximately 90 minutes and runs from mid-October until May 31. You can check ferry times and book ferry tickets online here.
Please re-check your tickets for the Langkawi port you booked. Langkawi has two ports: Telaga and Jeti Kuah. Both have immigration offices and both offer speedboats from Langkawi to Koh Lipe.
Arrive at the port at least an hour early. You must go through Malaysian immigration before boarding the boat. Our staff will hold your passport for you, and upon arrival in Thailand you will be transferred to the immigration office located right next to Pattaya Beach, at the ferry dock on Walking Street.
Immigration in Koh Lipe is a mess. As soon as the boat arrives at the dock, it goes straight to immigration. Here you wait for the immigration officer to call your name and hand you your passport back. It moves slowly… We waited for over an hour.
Depending on which Thai island you are coming from, travel time and cost will vary. The nearest Thai island is Koh Mook, less than two hours away. The furthest place is Phuket. The ferry from Phuket to Koh Lipe takes 5 hours. Other islands: Koh Kradan (2 hours), Koh Ngai (2-3 hours), Koh Lanta (3 hours), Koh Phi Phi (4-5 hours). Most ferries stop at every island for passengers to board and disembark, so plan that time into your travel days.
Read also: Things to do in Thailand
Arrival at Koh Lipe Pier
Koh Lipe does not have an official jetty. Speedboats and ferries use a floating platform right next to Pattaya Beach. Passengers disembark the boat here and pay a national park fee of 200 baht, which is not included in the ferry ticket.
Take a longtail boat from the floating platform to the beach (50 baht). If you're staying at a resort on Sunrise Beach, negotiate a rate that will take you directly there instead.
Koh Lipe Map
Click here to see a map of Koh Lipe. Find out exactly where Koh Lipe's best things to do, restaurants, bars, Koh Lipe beaches, best resorts and more are located.